As PennDOT brings its driver-licensing systems in line with the federal “REAL ID” standards, the agency is urging residents to start gathering the required documents now. The state anticipates being able to issue licenses compliant with the 2005 anti-terrorism identification program starting in spring 2019. There is, however, no requirement for Pennsylvanians to get a REAL ID, this program gives them the option.

To get a REAL ID license, most drivers will need to take to PennDOT:

Either a valid U.S. passport or birth certificate with a raised seal.

Social Security card.

Proof of any legal name changes — marriage licenses or court orders.

Two proofs of current address, potentially including a current Pennsylvania driver's license, a recent bank
statement or a utility bill with matching address.

PennDOT driver’s license centers will be able to start processing those documents starting in September. If you were born in Pennsylvania, and you don’t have a raised seal birth certificate, you can contact my office for assistance. If you were born out of state, you must go through that state for a duplicate.

However, if a resident first got a Pennsylvania license after September 2003, the state should have all those documents scanned and electronically filed, so it can start verifying those customers without having them go to a driver’s license center in person to file the documents or request the new ID.

Customers will pay a one-time fee of $30, plus a renewal fee, for a REAL ID, which equals to a total of $60.50. The expiration date of an initial REAL ID product will include any time remaining on an existing ID, plus an additional four years, unless the customer is over 65 and has a two-year license.

The state has an extension until Oct. 10, 2018, to bring its drivers licenses and processes for issuing them into line with the REAL ID requirements, though the state will continue to apply for extensions until becoming fully complaint. Without compliant cards, Pennsylvanians and residents of 24 other states will need a passport or other federally approved ID to enter military bases, federal facilities or take commercial flights starting on Oct. 1, 2020.

For more information, visit the Department of Motor Vehicles at www.dmv.pa.gov.